Maternity kit including delivery and hospital gown with magnetic fasteners

ABSTRACT

A maternity delivery kit for an expectant mother for use in a hospital that includes hospital gown having an upper body portion and a lower body portion where the upper body portion includes a neck hole and two opposing arm holes and the lower body portion includes an outer skirt having a central split. The central split is at the front of the gown and a concealing panel is attached inside the skirt and covers at least a portion of the central split. A maternity kit can be provided that includes a pillowcase package containing the maternity gown.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a maternity kit for an expectant mother that includes a maternity kit having hospital garments and more specifically to a maternity kit having a hospital gown, head band and pillowcase package, all items having magnetic fasteners, said kit used to improve the hospital stay for the expectant mother.

2. Description of Related Art

A typical hospital gown is a simple short-sleeved, thigh length garment that is received over the front of the patient's body and secured at the neck and back by a tie or snap closure. These hospital gowns are usually made of fabric that can withstand repeated laundering in hot water, usually cotton although disposable hospital gowns may be made of paper or thin plastic, with paper or plastic ties. Some gowns have snaps along the top of the shoulder and sleeves, so that the gown can be removed without disrupting intravenous lines in the patient's arms. Healthcare workers, especially in hospitals, find thin hospital gowns convenient for listening to the heart and lungs. For nurses, giving injections in the buttocks, abdomen, or thighs is easier when the patient is wearing a gown rather than normal clothing.

Despite the advantages for hospitals and their workers, hospital gowns are unsightly and provide very little coverage for the patient's body, often accidentally revealing the patient's private areas. This can be particularly embarrassing for the patient, particularly women and those with particularly religious obligations and beliefs. Pregnancy, birthing and delivery is one particular setting where the typical hospital gown is much maligned. Expecting and delivering mothers are sensitive to their modesty and are often left feeling particularly exposed when being examined or subject to medical procedures in a typical hospital gown. Additionally, hospital gowns are not well-suited for post delivery hospital stays, where the mother is tasked with nursing.

Accordingly, there have been several attempts to provide a hospital gown that improves coverage, retains modesty, and provides additional functionality, but none heretofore have been successful in the marketplace. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,223 to Hamilton et al. describes a patient gown for a nursing mother including an outer gown releasably fastened in a front portion thereof, an upper portion having shoulder straps cooperating to form an upper opening and fastened at the top of the shoulders. An inner gown is provided and attached inside the outer gown to provide selectable coverage for a nursing mother and her baby. While useful for concealing the mother during nursing, this gown only provides coverage features for the upper body and provides only standard coverage for the lower body.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,773 to Piraka describes a hospital gown for medical procedures such as inserting catheters, heart monitoring, wound dressing and the like and reducing exposure of the patient's private areas. The gown has a large upper opening extending across the front of the gown from about the area of the left clavicle of the patient to about the area of the right clavicle of the patient and an arcuate lower portion extending downwardly to about the descending aorta of the patient. Also included is a detachable panel for covering the large upper opening; a narrow opening extending across the front of the gown for uncovering portions of the patient's abdomen; a panel for covering the narrow opening; a storage pocket on a front portion of the large upper opening panel; a pair of divided lower side portions for uncovering portions of the patient's groin; and a plurality of fasteners for joining the panels to peripheries of the openings. Again, while providing useful features for the upper body of the patient, this gown does not provide adequate concealment for the lower body of a patient, particularly for an expecting or delivering mother.

It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. However, in view of the hospital garments in existence at the time of the present invention, it was not obvious to those persons of ordinary skill in the pertinent art as to how the identified needs could be fulfilled in an advantageous manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hospital maternity delivery kit for an expectant mother packaged in a fabric package that converts into a baby pillow case that can be used as a keep sake item. The maternity delivery kit includes a delivery gown, a hospital gown, headband, a pillowcase wherein said, pillowcase can be used as the kit package. The maternity kit may include candies such as mints. The primary item in the kit is the hospital gown.

The present invention provides a hospital gown comprising a gown upper body portion and a gown lower body portion. The gown upper body portion includes a neck hole and two opposing arm holes and the gown lower body portion includes an outer skirt having a central split. In some embodiments, the gown lower body portion central split is at the front of the gown. A concealing panel is attached inside the skirt and covers at least a portion of the central split. The split can be opened and closed to examine the lower body of a patient while the concealing panel remains to cover up and conceal the patient's private areas. The concealing panel is attached at the waist of the gown and at least partially to the right and left seams of the skirt. The gown also has a rear seam running along its entire length that allows the user to easily put the gown on. The rear seam is releasably joined by one or more fasteners, such as opposing magnets.

In some embodiments, the gown upper body portion comprises a chest panel opposing a back panel wherein the chest panel is releasably joined to the back panel at opposing shoulders of the upper body portion. One or more fasteners join the chest panel to the back panel at the shoulders. In some embodiments, the fasteners comprise opposing magnets for ease of opening and closing and resilient retention of the two panels. The chest panel may include enhanced aesthetics including a V-neck collar and a tie such as a bow. A nursing bra may also be integrated into the chest panel of the gown.

A maternity kit for the expectant mother can include the hospital gown with the improved features, the delivery gown and other items such as a headband, pillowcase for the, pillowcase package, and mints. The purpose of the kit is to improve the stay of the mother in the hospital.

Applicant's invention can include an array of individual items that can be very useful at the hospital for person having a baby. In addition to the maternal hospital gown or delivery gown, a useful prepackaged pillowcase that can be used by the expectant mother along with a headband, and additional hospital gowns, all of which can be placed in a single package in a pillowcase package providing a maternity set. The package of mints can also be included. All of the personal wearable items and the pillowcase package can utilize magnet fasteners as described herein. The expectant mother may also wish to have a spa wrap which is a comfortable towel that can include a plurality of magnetic fasteners to hold the towel in place around the person.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a maternity kit that includes a hospital gown that provides significant privacy for the wearer while still providing access for hospital workers to carry out examinations and procedures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a maternity kit having a hospital gown that is particularly well suited for nursing and delivering patients, providing improved privacy while allowing for examination and access to both the upper and lower body of the patient.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a maternity kit with a hospital gown and other items including a headband and pillow case package, all using magnet fasteners.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the hospital gown of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the hospital gown of the present invention shown in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of one embodiment of the hospital gown of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a pillowcase package with magnets for fasteners.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a perspective view of a spa wrap with magnet for fasteners.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show perspective views of a headband with magnets for fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of one aspect of the present invention. Shown is gown 10 comprising an upper body section 20 and a lower body section 30 divided substantially at waist line 21. Upper body section 20 comprises opposing panels defined as chest panel 22 and back panel 23 (See FIG. 3). The panels 22 and 23 releasably join each other at or above the shoulders 26 by way of fasteners 25 to form a neck opening 20′ and two opposing armholes 20″. In some embodiments, fasteners 25 comprise opposing magnets disposed on the respective chest and back panels 22 and 23. In some embodiments, the fasteners 25 comprise buttons, snaps, ties, or similar fastening means. The fasteners 25 allow the user to selectively release one or both sides of the chest panel 22 at shoulders 26 for easier access to the chest for examination and nursing.

As shown here, the upper body section 20, namely chest panel 22, provides a V-neck collar 27 although other collar configurations may be utilized such as scoop neck, crew neck, Henley style, and the like. Thus, the chest panel 22 can be configured as a tank top, tee shirt, or similarly styled blouse or tops. The chest and back panels 22 and 23 may optionally have sleeves 22′ and 23′, respectively, extending from the armholes. Optionally, a nursing bra 28 may be integrated into the chest panel 22 to provide support for the wearer's chest and also to cover and conceal the woman's chest and/or a nursing child. In some embodiments, a decorative tie 29 may be provided on the chest panel 22 which may function as decoration and to tighten the chest panel 22 across the wearer's chest.

The lower body section 30 of the gown 10 extends downward and outward from the waist 21. The lower body section comprises an overlay skirt 31 have a central split 32 extending from the waist all the way to the bottom 34 of the skirt 31. The central split 32 is, in some embodiments, located along the front of the gown 10. Attached inside of the skirt 31 to the waist 21 of the gown 10 is a concealing panel 33. The concealing panel 33 is large enough to completely conceal the space left by the split 32 of the overlay skirt. In some embodiments, the concealing panel 33 is only partially attached to the inside right and left seams 31′ and 31″ of the over skirt 31. With reference to FIG. 2, shown is the gown 10 of the present invention with the overlay skirt 31 opened laterally at split 32. The concealing panel 33 is shown disposed behind and underneath the skirt 31 and attached only partially at right and left seams 31′ and 31″ on the inside of the skirt 31. As shown, with the skirt 31 fully opened up, the concealing panel 33 remains to cover and conceal the patient, maintaining modesty. This allows for hospital workers to examine the patient wearing gown 10 and carry out certain procedures without having to expose the patient's private areas. The skirt-concealing panel configuration is particularly useful for accessing the patient's stomach and cervix while maintaining a significant level of concealment for the patient, particularly at the sides and upper body portion 20 of the gown 10. Indeed, the patient's stomach and cervix can be examined without compromising coverage of the patient's entire upper body.

FIG. 3 is a rear review of the gown 10. Disposed along the length of the back of the gown 10 is a rear seam 11. The seam 11 opens the entire gown 10 to allow the user to easily put on and take off the gown 10. In some embodiments, the seam 11 is removably closed by one or more fasteners 12 which may comprise opposing magnets, snaps, ties, buttons, and combinations thereof.

It is appreciated that the present invention provides a substantial advantage over the prior gowns with respect to privacy, usability, and overall aesthetics. In some embodiments, the gown 10 is form fitted having a somewhat narrower waist as compared to the upper body and lower body portions. This allows the gown 10 to maintain an “hour-glass” shape that is typically flattering for women. The decorative tie 29 and the shapely chest panel 22 further enhance and improve the aesthetics of the gown as compared to traditional hospital gowns. As far as usability, the gown 10 of the present invention provides many features not found in the traditional hospital gown. The concealing panel 33 provides a level of privacy and comfort not available in other gowns and will still allow hospital workers to examine and carry out procedures on the patient. The ability to examine a patient while maintaining her modesty and privacy is a critical advantage the gown 10 possesses over the prior art. Further, the ability to selectively release and fold down the shoulders 26 of the chest panel 22 is very useful for examining the upper body of the patient and for the patient to nurse a new born. The addition of the nursing bra 28 provides even more functionality, adding support for the patient's chest and newborn. Finally, the use of magnetic fasteners is particularly useful because the magnetic fasteners are much more resilient and less prone to unintentionally coming up during shifting and reconfiguring of the gown 10 but are still very easy for the patient and hospital workers to release when needing to access certain portions of the patient's anatomy.

FIG. 4 shows a pillow case 40 that serves as a package for the kit and can be used to house the kit items which include a hospital gown, a delivery gown, headband and other personal items such as mints to aid the expectant mother and her stay in the hospital. The pillowcase package includes an upper flap 42 that forms the closure for the pillowcase 40 package. A plurality of fasteners 44 which are magnetic are disposed along the edge of the flap 42 and may be embedded or surrounded by fabric on each side. Comparable magnet fasteners are disposed in the inside wall of the pillowcase housing for engagement of the flap. The purpose of the pillowcase 40 is to be used both as a package for the kit and as a keepsake after the delivery of the baby and the mother leaves the hospital. It can also be functional use as a pillowcase for a baby pillow. The device 40 may include on the packaging the logo 46 of the kit manufacture.

FIG. 5A shows an elevational view of a spa shower wrap 50 which is a heavy-duty towel that can be wrapped around the expectant mother. The top edge portions 52 at each end of the spa shower wrap can include magnetic fasteners 54 that are sewn inside the fabric and hidden from view that allow one end of the towel 50 to be wrapped around portions of the top edge of the towel for securing it around a person's body. Note there can be numerous magnets 54 disposed along the top edge of the towel that can vary the diameter of being wrapped around the person depending on the size of the person. Thus the fabric material itself could be a high-quality towel with the plurality of magnets 54 along the top edge 52 and at one or both ends of the towel so that it can be secured around a person and fastened with the magnets. FIG. 5B shows the plurality of magnets 56 along the top edge 52 that would engage the end magnet 54 on the towel for a closure to a towel wrapped around the individual.

FIG. 6A shows an elevational view of a headband 60 that also includes magnets 64 that are sewn inside the fabric 62 that can be disposed around the head of an expectant mother for aesthetic purposes. FIG. 6B shows the use of the headband 60 with magnets 64 as secured around a person to help remove perspiration from the expectant mother's head. There will be at least two magnets and maybe more so that the headband 60 is adjustable in diameter to fit around the head of the expectant mother. The headband 60 is also placed in the pillowcase packaging kit as part of the hospital maternity delivery kit for increasing the enjoyment of the mother in a hospital stay. The kit package can also include other amenities such as mints or candies for the benefit of the expectant mother.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A maternity kit for an expectant mother including a hospital gown, comprising: an upper body portion and a lower body portion; said upper body portion including a neck hole and two opposing arm holes; said lower body portion including an outer skirt having a central split; and a concealing panel attached inside said skirt and covering at least a portion of said central split.
 2. The hospital gown of claim 1, wherein said central split is located on a front portion of said gown and extends from a waist of said gown to a bottom portion of said skirt.
 3. The hospital gown of claim 1, wherein said upper body portion comprises a chest panel opposing a back panel, said chest panel releasably joined to said back panel at opposing shoulders of said upper body portion.
 4. The hospital gown of claim 3, wherein said chest panel is removably joined to said back panel by one or more fasteners.
 5. The hospital gown of claim 4, wherein said fasteners comprise opposing magnets.
 6. The hospital gown of claim 3, wherein said chest panel includes a collar.
 7. The hospital gown of claim 3, wherein said chest panel includes an integrated nursing bra.
 8. The hospital gown of claim 5, wherein said collar comprises a V-neck configuration.
 9. The hospital gown of claim 1, wherein said concealing panel is attached at least partially to a right seam and a left seam of said skirt.
 10. The hospital gown of claim 1, having a rear seam releasably joined by one or more fasteners.
 11. The hospital gown of claim 6, wherein said fasteners comprise opposing magnets.
 12. A kit as in claim 1, including a pillowcase package for holding said hospital gown.
 13. A kit as in claim 12, including a headband having magnet fasteners.
 14. A maternity hospital kit useful for an expectant mother upon arrival at the hospital to have a baby comprising: a pillowcase used as a package, said pillowcase package including maternity hospital gown.
 15. A maternity hospital kit as in claim 12 wherein: said maternity hospital gown included in said kit is constructed in accordance with claim
 1. 